Board OKs mold testing at city PD

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Board OKs mold testing at city PD

06/14/2007

Torrington Register Citizen - Torrington,CT

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS

Register Citizen Staff

http://www.registercitizen.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=18471905 & BRD=1652 & PAG=461 & dept_id=572348 & rfi=6

TORRINGTON - The Board of Public Safety voted Wednesday night to

authorize the expenditure of a little more than $9,000 to hire a

firm to conduct specialized testing for mold and mildew at police

headquarters.

The matter will be referred to the City Council and the Board of

Finance for their consideration. The firm slated to do the testing

is New Britain-based Occupational Risk Control Services Inc. The

funds will come from the city's contingency pool.

The Connecticut Department of Labor's Division of Occupational

Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA) visited the city in January at the

request of Police Chief Milano, according to the consultation

report submitted by Pierce, occupational hygienist for CONN-

OSHA.

Two areas of the police department, booking and the office of Deputy

Chief Maniago exhibited " fungal growth which may indicate

past problems or hidden mold growth, " according to the report.

Mayor Bingham said he had spoken to the city's insurance

company, which was aware of the CONN-OSHA report. Bingham

recommended holding off on authorizing the expenditure of the funds

because CONN-OSHA officials said they would return. Other board

members, however, stressed the urgency of the health situation, and

the motion to authorize the hiring of the private firm to do testing.

City Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver said CONN-OSHA

officials said they intended to come back in July, when the air

condition system would be at full use, allowing for better testing

due to seasonal variances. Bingham said he would recommend going

along with CONN-OSHA's recommendations and have them come back in

July and get good readings.

" I think the lessons we learned from (Torrington) Middle School can

be applied here, " board member Colangelo said, referring to

the mold problems at the school. " I'm leaning toward a sign of being

aggressive on this. "

Colangelo said he was concerned that the mold and mildew issue was a

health risk at the current time.

" We're dealing with health (issues) and everything like that, " board

member Cook said.

Cook said it was unknown how long it would be until further testing

was done.

Milano said he thought hiring the firm was a " comprehensive next

step. "

There are certain areas within the building that have a musty smell

when the air conditioner is on, Maniago said, though he said he was

not an expert.

" What that (smell) means, I do not know, " Maniago said.

Cook said since the issue was out in the open, the board should be

proactive. Board member Potter said the board should go

forward, even though the City Council and Board of Finance may not

go forward with the expenditure when they discuss it, he said.

" Don't make it seem like we're not doing the right thing, " Bingham

said. " We are. "

Bingham said the city was waiting for CONN-OSHA, which has the

expertise.

Board member Benedetto said the company that would be hired

specializes in mold.

" So does OSHA, " Bingham said.

D. can be reached by e-mail at

torrington@....